Hess named head softball coach at Ohio Northern

ADA - Ali Hess has been named the head softball coach at Ohio Northern University.

Hess is only the fifth head coach in program history and served as an assistant coach at ONU in 2013.

She takes over for Kim Burke, who went 61-43 in three seasons, including a 13-15 mark last year.

Hess came to ONU after a three-year stint as an assistant coach at the University of Detroit Mercy, where she coached pitchers and catchers.

"We are very excited about the future of the ONU Softball program," ONU director of athletics Tom Simmons said. "There is a very strong tradition of success in this program and we kept that tradition in mind as we searched for the right fit. We feel that Coach Hess has a tremendous skill set to offer and will have the best interests of our student-athletes in mind, both in the classroom and in competition."

"I am very excited about this opportunity to serve as head coach at Ohio Northern," Hess said. "ONU is a terrific place and has an outstanding winning tradition. Our goal is to get the program back to the top of the Ohio Athletic Conference and compete again on a national stage. I am grateful for Mr. Simmons and the University for trusting me with this responsibility.

"We have a good group of ladies to build around. They have a sour taste after the way we finished last season and I know we are going to get to work to reinstall our winning tradition."

The Omaha, Neb., native was a four-year letterwinner as a catcher at the University of Toledo from 2006-09.

Hess owns several Toledo records, including career fielding percentage, career hit by pitch, single season hit by pitch and 1st for single season fielding percentage.

She is also tied for 6th in career home runs and is third for single season slugging percentage.

Hess was named an Scholar All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and was voted to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team.

She received a MBA from Detroit in 2012 and a BBA degree from Toledo in 2009.